LOC11:34
08:34 GMT
By Hammad Al-Mutairi
KUWAIT, July 6 (KUNA) -- Ministry of Information's electoral media
committees have already begun implementing a scheduled broad plan for
parliamentary elections due on July 27, said a ministry undersecretary on
Saturday.
Electoral steering committee has already held meetings at level of
assistant undersecretaries, discussing the ministry strategy to cover "this
democratic event, affirming the state media capacity to cover such events,"
said Salah Al-Mubaraki, the ministry undersecretary and the chairman of the
steering committee, in an interview with KUNA.
The higher commission has drawn up "a clear road-map upon directions of
Minister of Information and Youth Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud
Al-Sabah who has put all the ministry technical and human resources at the
disposal of performing this media mission with assistance of a group of
skilled and trained young staff," Al-Mubaraki said.
The ministry is offering candidates for the upcoming polls free promotion
of the their manifestos and views, Al-Mubaraki said, alluding to the
audio-visual program, "candidate of the assembly 2013," which was first
produced during the 2012 polls.
Team in charge of the promotion program will receive candidates, after end
of nomination, as of July 7 till the 17th of the month, during the official
work hours, to record their views for broadcast according to a set timetable.
Media coverage of the polling process will be a distinguished one, the
undersecretary added, noting that the assigned teams, news personnel and
technicians, are working diligently to finalize the program and ensure
transparency of the process.
This plan includes recorded and live programs and documentaries, he said,
also noting that young citizens would have a role in such activity to shed
light on their aspirations.
Moreover, the ministry is planning news conferences, with participation of
many government departments to portray the civil servants' efforts in the
polling process and ensure "success of this democratic ceremony," in addition
to educating the electorate about their constitutionally-guaranteed franchise,
"as well as sound practice of this right."
Some of the scheduled programs will shed light on demands of the voters, in
line with the ministry strategy to publicize the public demands for service of
the citizens and the homeland.
Joint committees grouping staff of the ministry of information and other
departments have been set up, he said, explaining that the schemes envisage
live TV talk shows with elite experts and analysts.
Some of the programs are designed to promote democracy, calm dialogue,
based on means of serving higher national interests.
The ministry, he elaborated, has already produced flash audio-visual
messages promoting patriotism and law abidance. Officials of all concerned
sectors will hold regular meetings to ensure smooth execution of the strategy,
he said, hoping that the balloting day on the 27th of the month will be marked
with a qualitative shift at the media level.
Al-Mubraki also indicated that the eventful elections will be covered by
Arab and foreign journalists and that the relevant authorities have already
concluded preparations for hosting them.
He praised the minister of information for his unlimited support for the
mission, affirming that his full backing will impact positively on the media
coverage of the polling. (end)
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